Volkswagen Repair: Headlight not working properly, jetta glx, headlight circuit

Question
I have a 2001 Jetta GLX and the passenger side headlight is on, but very dim.  I replaced the headlight and it is still very dim.  Any suggestions on how to fix this problem?

Answer
Hi Mike;
On Volkswagens this doesn't happen very often, but on old "Detroit City" stuff it used to happen all the time.  The first place to look, and there is a 90% chance this is what the problem is...look for a bad ground to the headlight on the passenger side.  The other possibility, 10% chance is there is a connector that has a loose junction, or union.  The connectors all have at least 1 wire in them with a special shaped plastic shroud that has 2 parts, and it is possible that the plastic shroud pieces are tight,  but the wire/s inside are not fully engaged.  It will take some time to track down, but you WILL eventually find it.  Beetles have all of the grounds for the headlight circuit under the battery case on the drivers' side of the car...that is the first place I personally would go to look for your problem.  I hope you have the radio code handy.  If so, get the battery out, and get the tray out too, and search through the wires that are secured right to the body of the car right there to find the one that is not quite right.  It won't take too much more time to just make sure they are clean, and secure while you are there.  Good luck, Mike.